[Episode 21]
Who are you?
I didn’t know you’d be coming to us on your own.
What are you doing? Arrest him, right now!
I have no intention of running away. Where am I to go?
Do you know what I mean?
I ask you a favor.
Let’s go.
Let me go!
Let go of me.
My lady.
He worked many days to give you this.
He was so happy to see it nearly completed.
Look carefully.
The letters were carved by him.
[My musical friend]
Move!
Let me go!
Stay calm.
I have to go to the capital.
I have to follow him.
There is nothing you can do there.
I have to be with him.
I can’t let him be all alone.
Do you think this is what Junghan wants?
Don’t try to hurt him, anymore.
Don’t make him into a fool, that can’t even protect his girl.
Listen to me.
Junghan wouldn’t want you to be like this.
I want to.
Nothing will change, even if you would go there.
Both you and Junghan...
Maybe the both of us would be killed.
And I know it’s not what Junghan would want.
That’s why I have to go to him.
He’s a fool.
He gave up everything for me.
He gave up his dreams and hopes.
If this is to be the last I see of him,
I don’t want him to be alone any longer.
I can’t let him die alone.
I’m going to be with him.
What?
You’ve arrested Kim Junghan and he’s been locked up in prison?
Yes, your highness.
Open up a hearing.
I’m going to question him, myself.
I’m going to make sure he gets the death sentence.
What about Myeongwol?
What has happened to Myeongwol?
Where is she locked up?
Myeongwol wasn’t caught, ma’am.
Is that the truth?
Yes, ma’am.
She’s alive.
She’s out there somewhere.
I wonder where she is.
Where is she hiding?
Where am I?
This is the house of the prime minister.
This is the perfect hiding place.
Is he your father?
Is the prime minister your father?
Or else, how could you come into this house on your own?
You’ve read too many novels.
I wish what you’re saying were true.
Then, I could use my power to save your lover.
Your lover that you can’t live without.
But unfortunately, it’s not true.
My father is the manager of the house.
But why have you changed your mind?
You were on the verge of wanting to die in prison.
But thankfully, you’ve asked for a hiding place.
I can’t die, yet.
I have to find a way to save him.
I must.
It won’t be too late for me to die, after I find a way.
Where is the girl that ran off with you?
I don’t know.
How dare you lie in this court?
That girl had been your wife, until just a few days ago.
But now you tell us that you don’t know where she is?
You scum!
Where is Myeongwol?
I don’t know.
Do I have to execute you, before you tell us the truth?
What are you doing?
Torture his legs, right now.
Torture him until he tells the truth.
What a tearful love story.
He’s on the verge of death,
but he wants to be a loyal lover.
I won’t let it happen.
I won’t stand to see him try to protect his love.
Look throughout the capital.
You must find Myeongwol.
Myeongwol in the capital?
Find her and throw her next to Junghan.
He’ll be useless, with his girl dying next to him.
I want to see it with my own eyes.
But, sir.
Do you think Myeongwol would’ve come to the capital?
She’s bound to die here, if she did.
I’m sure she’s here.
That’s love.
Love is like walking into fire,
even knowing what you’re getting into.
I must meet Mr. Byeok.
Who do you think wants you dead more than anyone else?
It’s Mr. Byeok.
I know.
So?
But, it’s Mr. Byeok that holds the key to our lives.
Here comes the king.
What crime have you committed?
Tell me.
I want you to tell me with your own mouth.
I ran away from my precinct and from my social responsibilities.
I was wrong to have made a gisaeng my wife.
And it was wrong of me to be disloyal to you.
You know it all.
You can memorize it all.
So I’m sure you know how you can repay for your crime.
There is no way for me to pay for what I did.
Please put me to death.
Why aren’t you begging for your life?
Why aren’t you begging to find a way to get out of this alive?
I believe that death...
is the only way to pay for my sins.
Yes, I’m going to kill you.
I’ll kill you.
I can’t let you live,
since you betrayed me twice.
You highness.
I’m going to kill you.
But I won’t let you die in peace.
I’m going to let your death be a slow and painful one.
I’ll make sure it’s very slow.
Sir.
What’s going on?
Why are you looking like this?
It’s something I have to do.
Don’t be too concerned.
Please let me be close to him for a bit longer.
I’ve let you come this close, in honor of your teacher.
- But... - Go back.
Or else, you won’t be able to see him anymore.
I thought you were going to spit on his face.
What’s wrong with you?
Why do you have to cry for someone like him?
Stop crying!
Why do you have to waste your tears?
He didn’t want you.
Plus, he had lived with another girl for three years.
All you have to do is laugh it off.
That’s what I want to do.
I really wanted to do that.
But,
I just can’t.
When I see his face and stand in front of him,
I just can’t do it.
Who are you?
You must come with me, sir.
You’re totally over your head.
How have you been, sir?
You wench!
Lower your voice.
That guy’s skill as a swordsman is quite excellent.
You should kill me now.
If I go back home alive, you’ll die in my hands.
I know.
But I can’t harm you.
Or else, how am I to save Junghan?
So you want me to help you save him?
Yes, sir.
Why would I do something like that?
But, you will.
What?
It’s the best way to make him miserable in the worst way.
He was true to his king, his people, and even a gisaeng like me.
He was always in a position to be loved by people that you couldn’t receive.
He made you feel inferior all your life.
Isn’t that what Junghan did to you?
If you kill him now,
you’ll belosing to Junghan, altogether.
Make him lose his integrity.
Have it so that he loses it on his own.
Ruin him so that he breaks down slowly in front of those with power.
That’s the only way for you to beat him.
And that’s the only way to take the life of this gisaeng that had made you into a fool.
Don’t you agree?
Sir.
Are you safe, sir?
Who is there?
You want me to tell Junghan where you’re hiding?
Do you think I’ll agree to that?
Yes.
Don’t count on it.
Stop being so sentimental and try to be rational.
If I am taken into prison,
the both of us will die.
But if you help us, Junghan can live.
Maehyang has waited for you for three whole years.
What a waste.
Myeongwol.
I can do nothing now.
I can’t dance, nor can I play the geomungo.
I can’t.
However hard I try,
I just can’t.
So, Myeongwol, the gisaeng and artist, is already dead.
Now, it’s time for that lovesick Hwang Jini to die.
It’s time for her to go.
Maehyang will be very sad.
But you’re here.
I’m glad that you’re here.
You can comfort Maehyang and Junghan.
Tell him that I’m at the bar in Samteo Valley.
Do you live there?
No.
Once he confesses, light a lantern on the back door.
Once I see it, I’ll move into the place.
Tell me where you’re staying now.
I’ll send you a message.
No, I can’t let you.
Or else, you’ll be in danger.
I guess you’ve thought it through.
And there’s no way to change your mind.
Does it have to be this way?
Having lived as his wife for three years,
he had loved me so much that I could never repay him.
But there was nothing that I had ever done for him.
This is the first and last time that I’m doing something for him.
Sir.
Booyong, what are you doing here again?
How are you?
Don’t be concerned.
And don’t come here ever again.
Or else you’ll be in danger.
I came to bring you news of Myeongwol.
She’s at the bar in Samteo Valley.
Do you think Junghan will reveal where you’re staying?
The torture will make him talk.
What if...
What if he doesn’t end up saying anything?
That’s not possible.
Even if it’s not just about the torture...
He had loved the king even more than he loved me.
It will make him talk.
If he were to live,
do you have the will to go on living as well?
What do you mean?
It’s nothing special.
I just wanted to say it.
Your highness.
It’s time for you to attend to the hearing.
I know.
Are you unhappy about having to go out there again?
What are you talking about?
You’ve ordered special tests to be carried out.
But you have yet to find someone to replace Kim Junghan.
So if you can come up with a way to get Junghan back,
I’m sure that’s what you would do.
Aren’t I right?
He was the one that betrayed me.
Your highness, please don’t think that he betrayed you.
I don’t need someone that is so crazy about a woman in the palace.
A single mistake can often be a great cure.
Have Kim Junghan kill that gisaeng himself.
That’s the only way for him to be forever loyal to you.
Where is the gisaeng that had turned you so disloyal?
I asked you where she is.
Your highness.
Where is the gisaeng?
I’ll give you four days.
In four days, tell me where...
the gisaeng that had created havoc in the palace is.
If you do,
I’ll forgive everything you’ve done.
And I’ll give you your job back.
Your highness...
I’ll listen to your answer in four days.
I hope that you won’t disappoint me and the many people...
that you valued more than your own life.
Where is the girl?
Where did you hide the gisaeng?
Tell me the truth.
I cannot tell you.
Tell me where she is staying.
That’s the only way for you to live.
Tell us now.
Tell us!
Do you want to die?
Myeongwol is living at the bar in Samteo Valley.
Oh, my.
Look at yourself.
Stop being stubborn.
No one on earth will blame you...
for throwing away a single gisaeng.
A man should be willing to give up his life for people that support him.
Think of the king who is alone in his fight against the nobles.
If you continue to struggle against him,
it would be the same as having the king give up on his wishes.
The king is barely putting up a fight.
Is the lantern still not up yet?
He’s so foolish.
He’s such a foolish person.
How could he endure all that torture?
He should give into it now.
I’ll ask you one last time.
Where is the gisaeng that has made you betray me?
I cannot tell you, your highness.
Are you going to betray me for a single gisaeng until the end?
How am I supposed to embrace the world...
with such feeble arms that cannot protect a single girl?
So please, do away with me first.
Fine.
I’ll do as you please.
Punish Kim Junghan to death by being drawn and quartered.
[Drawn and quartered: Execution method where criminal is tied to carts and ripped in two]
A death sentence?
How is this possible?
I deserve it.
I’ll try to come up with a way.
A way to make the king change his mind.
Don’t try too hard.
It’s not bound to work.
Sir.
I don’t think it’s my life that you should be worried about.
Where is Myeongwol?
Ma’am.
Tell me how I can find her.
I must meet Myeongwol.
Lead me to her.
Now!
What were you doing?
Were you writing a letter to your mother?
Ma’am.
I just asked you if you were...
in the middle of writing a letter, before going on to your death.
Why aren’t you answering me?
I have no other choice, ma’am.
Stupid wench.
How could you be so ruthless with your own life?
How could you do this...
when your teacher took her own life to raise you and turn you into an artist?
That’s why I need to do this.
What?
I don’t deserve to live.
Because of my dance,
a man has lost his life.
I don’t deserve it.
I don’t deserve to live a life as a dancer and an artist.
What?
I should have died long ago.
If I can save another life by giving up my own,
I think it’s worth it even more.
Are you talking about Junghan?
Do you think he’ll live, once you’re dead?
It’s all over now.
Junghan has been sentenced to death by the king.
Don’t stop me, ma’am.
If I can’t save his life,
I should die with him.
I think it’s only right for me to go along with him on his last journey.
You cruel girl.
Such a cruel and bad wench.
Ma’am.
If you go like this, what’s your teacher’s reputation going to be?
Are you going to make your teacher’s death all but in vain?
How could you be such a cruel person?
Another person...
Yet another person...
is willing to give up his life, because of me.
If I pretend not to notice once again,
I won’t be doing the humane thing.
Don’t stop me, ma’am.
It’s the least I can do to apologize to them.
Who says that it will be an apology?
I don’t think that Baekmu nor Junghan would appreciate such an apology.
That’s not what an apology is supposed to be like.
Ma’am.
Live.
Live and survive.
Live and be cruel.
Don’t you know?
I’m a wanted woman.
I can no longer live as a gisaeng.
So make dance scores in hiding.
Make dance scores and train younger students.
I’ll help you make this possible.
Ma’am.
That will be a good way to apologize to your dead teacher.
And Junghan’s death will not be in vain.
Protect her well.
If you let her do anything foolish, I won’t forgive you.
Let’s go.
The announcement was posted?
Yes.
I guess there’s no way to stop it.
I don’t think so.
The king’s anger is now past its breaking point.
On the night of Junghan’s execution,
a great festival shall be held.
A festival bigger than any other.
A festival?
Every government official must attend the festival.
From Junghan’s work colleagues to his relatives.
But no one is to see Junghan being executed.
Junghan had betrayed the king to the end.
The king wants to punish him in the worst way possible.
Baekmu seems to be sad as well.
The first minister was taken into exile.
And Junghan will be killed.
To hold a festival on such a day.
Even to a gisaeng that makes a living off of dancing,
it’s not going to be easy.
What are you doing here?
You shouldn’t be here. This is a troupe.
There are many people that can recognize you.
Do you want me to continue being a dancer?
I’ll do as you say.
Myeongwol.
I heard that a festival will be held.
Let me dance on that stage.
What?
Do you want to die?
I want to live as a dancer.
That’s what I want.
I’ll live as a dancer, even if I live only a few more days.
I want to die while dancing.
I want to die while dancing on stage, ma’am.
Myeongwol.
I think that’ll prove to be the best apology...
that I can present to Baekmu and Junghan.
Does it have to be this way?
Shall I break into the prison?
Do you want me to get Junghan out?
I’m really sorry to you.
Who? Who is here?
What are you doing in those rags?
You’re supposed to be a nobleman.
I guess you’ve come to your senses.
So you’ve come back?
Do you still expect me to come back?
Of course, I do.
You’re the only son I have.
You’re the only male in this family for four generations.
If I’m not successful in making you a government official, it’ll be a disgrace.
Whether I come back or not depends on you.
Do you want me to quit my post again?
Is that what you want?
No.
That’s not what I want, father.
I want you to save a man, using your power.
Save a man?
Yes.
Will you concentrate on studying,
instead of roaming all about?
Yes, I will.
Who is it?
Who is it that you must save?
Is he a man of swords, like yourself?
It’s Kim Junghan, the former minister of rites.
What?
No, it’s impossible.
Father.
I’d rather be criticized by my ancestors.
I can never do that for you.
Don’t follow me.
I don’t want to harm you two, whom I’ve known since childhood.
Where are you going?
I’m going to Mr. Byeok’s place.
What for?
I’m going to tell him where Myeongwol is staying.
Booyong.
I’m going to go to the palace or wherever else I need to.
I’m going to turn that girl in.
If Myeongwol dances on that stage, she will die.
I know.
And you would die as well, for letting her dance on the stage.
That’s true as well.
How could you be so calm?
I should’ve died a long time ago.
Did you know that Baekmu
was my arch rival for many years?
Don’t you think that she’ll be so lonely, all alone in the heavens?
What about me?
Why don’t you think of us?
I was just seven when I entered this troupe.
And I’ve lived with you for 15 years.
I don’t even remember my mother’s face.
I know that you were never very warm.
But, I loved you just the same.
How could you think of giving us all up for Myeongwol?
I’m not giving you up.
I’m making the right decision, as a leader of the troupe.
I wouldn’t be a real leader if I weren’t able to allow her to dance.
Ma’am.
Even if it means my death, I don’t have any regrets.
I have you on my side.
Oh, my baby.
Baby...
Your mother is committing such a big crime against you.
I feel very sorry to you.
I’m sorry that I’m not able to give you all my love.
In our next lives,
I’ll give you all the love.
I’ll give you more love than you can bear.
Hyeongeum.
I’m not going to stop her.
You shouldn’t, either.
She shouldn’t listen, even if I tried.
Be comfortable.
It’s impossible not to know it.
Your body remembers it all.
A dance is all about one’s heart.
You said that you’ll live your life as a dancer and artist.
Listen to your heart.
Your heart will lead you in the dance.
I’ll be back, mother.
I wish you safety.